Malawi charity party at Old Trafford raises over K2mil – MAHECAS

A UK based Malawian public health care charitable organisation, Malawi Health Care Support (MAHECAS) has said it raised over £2,000 (about K2 million) during the charity dinner and dance held last Saturday at the Evolution Suite of Old Trafford Stadium, the home of Manchester United FC.

The Wayne Rooney signed jersey which was auctioned at K0.5 million in aid of Malawi healthcare through Mahecas

Mahecas UK, whose primary aim is mobilise support for the health care system, said apart from entry fee of patrons who mostly were Malawians and friends of Malawi, they raised the money through the auction.

Manchester United FC donated to Mahecas a jersey signed by its captain Wayne Rooney with a certificate of authenticity, including a matching hologram which was auctioned at £500 (about K.5million).

Miss Malawi UK organiser Kondi Bowoyeke Munthali also donated donated a football which was auctioned at £380 (about K380,000).

“We are grateful to Manchester United and Miss Malawi UK for their donations,” Mahecas chairperson Prescot Kaliati told Nyasa Times.

“We are pleased that the kit that we donated has raised money to held Mahecas good case,” Miss Malawi UK organiser Kondi Munthali told Nyasa Times.

According to Mahecas, all proceeds of the event will go towards the provision of patient transportation equipment at the Adult Emergency Trauma Department, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) in Blantyre.

According to Hannington Gondwe in his presentation at the event, the QECH Adult Emergency Trauma department, which handles about 1,750 patients a week, faces major shortages in patient trolleys and wheelchairs.

“In view of patient load, transportation equipment easily experiences wear and tear. This makes the equipment not fit for the purpose. MAHECAS, decided to intervene and raise funds to buy the following equipment;15 wheelchairs, 30 patient trolleys, 7 Resuscitation trolley And other small items that are desperately required at the department,”Gondwe said.

Malawi Association UK (MAUK), an umbrella body for all Malawian charitable organisations in the UK was represented by vice chairman Thom Chiumia. MAUK donated the proceeds of the Malawi achievers awards first edition to Mahecas UK who later used the money for medical equipment in Malawi.

Bravo MAHECAS – this is a worthwhile cause! I can personally testify this day to various donations that were made to the dental department at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital! To date the dental department is a proud beneficiary to a state of the art, brand new dental surgery thanks to MAHECAS- UK. Continue doing the good work. Through this forum, I would like to thank all MAHECAS members, local and those in the diaspora for the significant donations made to the country.